Tension device for knitting machines



Aug. 4, 1936. J. WACHSMAN TENSION DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed March 6, 1955 v Jim/Z1 McZsmwz Patented Aug. 4, 1636 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2.049.155 TENSION nnvrcn roa KNITTING memes This invention relates to improvements in tension devices for use in knitting machines and like structures. The object of the invention is to provide a generally improved tension and guiding device adapted to be attached to a knitting machine and embodying certain novel features of design and construction whereby to increase the usefulness of the device and adapt it for use in connection with a great variety of yarns or threads 1 to be guided and tensioned whereby breakage of the yarn or thread may be avoided and whereby the tension may be regulated and adjusted without requiring the use of tools.

This application is a continuation in part of my pending application for improvements in knitting machines flied May 20, 1933; Serial Number 6'71,- 94'1, allowed February 27, 1935. In the drawing accompanying this application,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a knitting machine to which the improved tension device is applied.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the device. Fig. 3' is a left hand end view of the device with parts in section and parts broken away. F 8. 4 is a plan view.

Referring to Figure 1 the reference numeral 5 denotes the centrally disposed rotatable shaft of a circular knitting machine more particularly illustrated in my aforesaid application andin my Patent Number 1,775,298 dated September 9, 1930 to which reference is hereby made. The said central shaft or post 5 carries a plurality of radially disposed arms 6 on which the spools] of yarn or threads are mounted in a well known manner.

Above the arms 6 there is another set of radial arms 8, parts of the improved tension devices now to be explained. The yarn 9 passes from flxlfin spools 1 upwards into other parts of thema- 0 e.

. During the passage through the machine tension is applied in order to provide for the proper functioning of the several parts of the machine and in order to obtain a properly finished product. The tension means are preferablyand advantageously combined with suitable guiding means to separate the several runs of the yarn through the machine and prevent entangling.

Referring now to Figures2, 3, and 4 my improved tension device consists of a supporting bar 8 which is bent at an angle' to provide an-oifset arm II. The latter carries a threaded bolt I2 upon which is mounteda pair of freely rotatable cooperating tension disks II and I4. These disks are kept infrictionai contact by a spring IS. The 65 tension of the spring may be adjusted by a weighted arm 16 in threaded engagement with the bolt l2. A pin II prevents the arm it from becoming detached from the bolt.

The bar 8 carries at right angles thereto an eyelet bracket l8. To the latter is secured a guide 5 member in the form of a bar I9, bent into an in verted U. The horizontal portion of the U has a hole which registers with one of the eyelets 20 in the eyelet bracket. The legs 2| of the U ex: tend downwardly and support a yarn guide mem- 10 her 22 in the form of a strip of suitable material, preferably a piece of knitting which is looped around the lower end of the bar and securedby stitches. The central portion of the guide 22 is I formed as a guide opening 23, by means of two l5 rows of stitches 24. The spacing of this central guiding opening may of course be made to suit.

The yarn 9 passes upward from the spool 1 and through the guide member 22 to the tension device. It is of importance that the yarn be not 0 unduly confined or interfered with. In this instance the wide opening 23 in the soft guide member 22 properly guides the yarn and at the same time permits the yarn lateral freedom of movement as is obvious. If the yarn is of such quality 25 respecting .material, fineness and the like that special tension is undesirable and not wanted, then the yarn is led upward through the eyelet bracket i8 following the straight line 25 in Figure 3 and the yarn does not pass between the ten- 30 sion disks l3 and i4.

0n the other hand, if tension upon the yarn is necessary, the yarn is passed around and between the tension disks and follows the line indicated at 26 in Figure 3. In other words, the de- 35 vice affords means for guiding the yarn with or without tension. Freedom from tension cannot be obtained by merely relieving the spring I5 because to do so would require an 'inconveniently long bolt l2 and then there would be nothing 4 to prevent the tension disks from moving on the bolt and contacting with the yarn due to the shaking of the parts as the machine operates; The construction embodied in the present invention. affordin'g a tensioned and an untensioned path for 45 the yarn through the machine is therefore of great advantage.

Again it will be noted that the tension of the spring l5 may be adjusted to a very fine degree by the operator merely spinning or turning the 50 weighted arm it upon the bolt l2. No tools are required for this purpose. Another advantage is that due to the weight of the arm, the tension will not be disturbed due to shaking of the machine such as is the case where nuts and like means are uneroudamtneasnngm Itwillalso degicemaybeusedtoprovide tensionatalltimes menelyincreasingthesize oithetensiondisksy Iclaim' 1. A tension device or the character described comprising a bracket having yarn guiding apertures, a yarn guiding-member having a yarn guiding meamandasupporting bar, one end of which is secured to thesaid bracket and supports the said tensioning means,

the other end or which bar-is adapted to be se- 7 machine membenapairoi'yarntensiondisksonsaidmemberinoflsetrelationtoalinepasdngthrough said yarn guiding aperhires'and means form!!- ing tensiontosaidtensiondiskaand anrnguidanced member for adjusting the tension of said wring, and a yam guiding member supported on the said bracket and having a yarn guiding opening in registered relation with the said yarn-guiding apertures. Y

4. A tension device of the character described comprising a supporting member, a bracket having yarn guiding apertures supported on said member, a pair of yarn tension disks on said member in oiiset relation to a line passing through said yarn guiding apertures,'a spring for applying tensionto said tension disks and an overbalanced member for adjusting the tension of said spring, and a guiding member of relatively yielding soft material supported on the said bracket and ha ng a yarn guiding opening in registered relation with the said yarn guiding apertures.

5. A tension and guiding device for knitting es comprising a supporting bar, a thread tension device carried thereby and consisting of a bolt, a'pair oi cooperating tension disks rotatably mounted on said bolt, a spring for pressing said disks together-,an overbalanced member on the bolt for adjusting the tension of the spring, a bracket bracket for guiding the thread between the said disks, or out of engagement therewith, a thread guide member of soft material and a bracket for J ACOB WACHSMAN.

secured tosaid bar, eyelets in said supporting the'latter in operative relation to the said eyelets and disks. 

